Drive - Review

Imagine if someone like Michael Mann directed movies like The Transporter or The Fast and the Furious, and then imagine if the production began and ended in the 80s. Bearing those two prerequisites in mind, you could imagine that films in that spirit would be much different than what we’re already associated with. Now if you can picture an interesting result from the aforesaid scenario, then you are more ready for Drive than you would be from its trailer alone.

Drive is a film that chronicles the nameless driver-for-hire played by Ryan Gosling. He’s a man of few words, speaking only when necessary; he is calm, and hard to read. He brings memories of The Man with No Name though without the less than subtle scowl and glare. Gosling invokes a sense of mystery and depth extremely simply but to great effect. I have honestly known people with similar personalities, and Gosling mirrors seamlessly from the voice, the inflections, his smile and the timing and context of all three. As his days go on, he becomes involved with his neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son, forming a bond with the both of them. Shannon (Bryan Cranston), his daytime boss borrows money from mob boss Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) to buy a stock car and back The Driver as well... his driver. But, when an operation involving Irene’s husband goes south, The Driver runs into trouble with both Bernie and Nino (Ron Perlman). Believe it or not, the plot is not the main crux or pull of the film, at least in a basic sense.

Generally speaking, I don’t get overhyped for productions aside from those that may apply to my personal preference or pleasure, such as comic book films. However, even at that it’s more overexcitement than ridiculous expectations. Prior to watching the film, I had little to expect. I just knew it was a new film with Ryan Gosling, who has been garnering progressively more publicity, and that apparently the trailer was slightly misleading, and it was actually an art picture. Drive is an art house film, and as such, has a sense of atmosphere and gravitas not (at least not usually) found in general blockbusters. Although the trailer may be misleading, Drive is by no means another Gone in 60 Seconds or The Fast and the Furious, unless you added the restrictions I mentioned before. Nicolas Winding Refn directs this project with subtlety and grit, and Newton Thomas Sigel provides us with stunning, emotional cinematography reflecting The Driver’s earnest persona.

Albert Brooks, typically known for his comic ingenuity, instead shocks viewers with a very dark but very nonchalant portrayal of Bernie, and does so without missing a beat. Carey Mulligan is far from deep but she works for the film’s narrative, which goes the same for Ron Perlman, who I felt was just going through the motions. Christina Hendricks has a minor role as Blanche, and does well despite a small part. Overall it’s a solid cast, my critique of Irene is not meant to be interpreted as a cliché female romantic interest. She is humble, kind, and lights up a scene, but in the same “spinning straw into gold” manner as The Driver. From this, their chemistry feels natural, and their interactions are handled realistically. A strong point for me was Irene’s husband, written as a man who fell from grace and legitimately wants to atone for it, as opposed to an abusive, throwaway device to further glorify The Driver and justify a relationship between him and Irene.

Less in the spirit of modern action and more in the spirit of 80s crime and neo-noir, Drive is a breath of fresh air for American cinema, not to say that I think the entire industry is lackluster. The film is slow, powerful, and elegant, and I am ashamed that Sound Mixing is the only Oscar nomination it received. Although I’ve only seen The Artist out of the Oscar nominees, Drive is my best film of 2011. The fact that Gosling and Brooks were snubbed for Best Actor and Sigel for Best Cinematography saddens me. But hey, at least the YOUReviewers awards acknowledge it. Hell, I didn't even talk about the soundtrack. Oh boy. 9 out of 10.